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Parliament Backs Down And Says 10pm Curfew Will Apply To MPs' Bars After All

It comes after reports MP's drinking establishments were classed as "workplace canteens".
Chris York
By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost UK

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Bars and restaurants frequented by MPs and Lords in the Palace of Westminster will now have to observe the 10pm coronavirus curfew, it has been confirmed.

It had been reported they would be able to remain open after the curfew because they fell under the description of a workplace canteen.

But on Monday, a UK Parliament spokesperson said: “Alcohol will not be sold after 10pm anywhere on the parliamentary estate.”

The prospect of a special exemption, according to a report in The Times, had prompted outrage.

Exc: Parliament's bars are exempt from the 10pm curfew, rules on mask-wearing and gathering customers' details https://t.co/UkcgGTh66q

— Esther Webber (@estwebber) September 28, 2020

Actually.. why are the UK's lawmakers drinking at work at all? In what other profession would this be allowed?

— David Grant (@alias_dr_webber) September 28, 2020

Darts.

— Gary 😺 #3.5% (@The_Gary_Miller) September 28, 2020

Why is there even a bar at the House of Parliament? This is 2020.
I work in a school-we dont have a bar-God knows we need it sometimes!

— mark higgins (@markhiggins20) September 28, 2020

Parliament bar to be exempt from the 10PM curfew and face covering rules. These bastards are literally shitting in our faces.

— George Smiley (@364690) September 28, 2020

Reading that the Parliament bar is except from the 10PM closing rule and yep, that's enough news for me today. Good morning and goodbye, the only commentary I have today is that your leaders hate and mock you.

— Alison K. Brown (@alisonkatebr) September 28, 2020

Hypocrisy at its finest. Bars inside Parliament including the strangers Bar are exempt from the newly imposed 10pm curfew and MPs and guests do not have to provide track and trace details
One rule for them and another for everybody else 🤷♂️

— 💙Ashleymadblue 💙 (@ralpha060461) September 28, 2020

Heartily sick of the “one rule for them” system we’re living in.

— Anna🏴 (@HMRobbinCs) September 28, 2020

Even a Tory MP, George Freeman, was furious.

@estwebber Parliament’s bars exempt from 10pm curfew? Appalling decision - had no idea. This sort of thing is what brings Parliament into disrepute. Who makes these decisions? The Speaker’s Commission? Will look into it.

— George Freeman MP (@GeorgeFreemanMP) September 28, 2020

Earlier this month the government faced a huge row over the new coronavirus “rule of six” curbs, after it emerged grouse shooting and other “hunting” with guns would be exempted from the restrictions.

Pro-hunting and shooting groups can continue to hold gatherings of between six and 30 people because they are covered by a loophole that permits licensed “outdoor activity”.

The only reason I'd want the Parliament bar closed at 10pm is to see Ress-Mogg playing the Vengaboys on his phone as 50 pissed MPs dance on College Green.

— Derek Cooper (@cooperderek) September 28, 2020
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